PVTA's $1.9 million windfall averts fare hikes, service cuts

File photo by Mark M. Murray / The RepublicanGroups of people gather on the Liberty Street side of the Springfield bus station last week to urge the Pioneer Valley Transit Authority to reject any fare hikes. Their wishes came true this week.

SPRINGFIELD – State Sen. Stanley C. Rosenberg, D-Amherst said the $1.9 million cash infusion approved for the Pioneer Valley Transit Authority will not only balances its budget, but also signals a new willingness by state lawmakers to provide adequate funding for regional transit agencies statewide.

“Basically, this is a turning point,” Rosenberg said. “The regional transit authorities have been getting the short end of the stick for a long time and (now) they have received the same reasonable treatment as the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority,” he said.

House and Senate budget committees approved $7 million in additional funding for the 15 regional transit authorities this week, with the PVTA – the largest regional transit service – receiving the largest share.

At the same time, the Massachusetts Transit Authority, which has a $1 billion annual budget, received $49 million in extra funding, Rosenberg said.

The extra funding for the MBTA triggered protest from some legislators, including Sen. Gale Candaras, D-Wilbraham, who argued that the Boston-based agency lacks fiscal discipline and sound financial controls.

But Rosenberg said the amount awarded to the regional transit authorities is actually proportionally higher than the MBTA, which has received frequent bails outs in the past.

The willingness of the lawmakers to help the regional transit groups reflects the growing popularity of mass transit, and bodes well for the better funding in the future, Rosenberg said.

“It’s a great day,” Rosenberg said, adding the funding came after extensive lobbying by regional transit groups and legislators who support them.

Citing the $1.9 million state windfall, the PVTA advisory board Wednesday decided against fare hikes for the next 12 months. The agency, which serves 24 communities with an annual budget of $38 million, had a 8 percent ridership increase during the past 12 months, to 10.9 million.

The agency’s top administrator, Mary L. MacInnes, said the new funding will cover a budget deficit initially estimated at $1.8 million without resorting to fare increases or service cutbacks.

“It’s amazing news,” said MacInnes, adding that the advisory board approved a resolution praising the Legislature for supporting the transit agency.